STAT+: Dozens of lawmakers urge HHS to abandon a pilot initiative for the controversial 340B program
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More than 160 lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to abandon a newly announced pilot program that would allow pharmaceutical companies to offer rebates for a small number of therapies to hospitals that participate in a federal drug discount program.<\/p>\n
At issue is the 340B discount program, which was created to help hospitals and clinics care for low-income and rural patients. Drug companies that want to take part in Medicare or Medicaid must offer their medicines at a discount \u2014 typically, 25% to 50%, but sometimes higher \u2014 to participating hospitals and clinics. Right now, drug companies generally provide the discounts at the time of purchase.<\/p>\n
Since its inception more than three decades ago, the\u00a0program has ballooned \u2014 there are now about 55,000 participating entities \u2014 and has regularly factored into the clash in the U.S. over drug prices. Prescription medicines purchased under the program amounted to $66.3 billion\u00a0in 2023, a 23.4% increase from the previous year, according to federal government data.<\/p>\n
Continue to STAT+ to read the full story\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n